In vitro effect of danazol on the cytokine production of peritoneal macrophages in patients with endometriosis

Objective: To study the effect of danazol in vitro on the cytokine production of peritoneal macrophages in patients with endometriosis. Methods: Peritoneal macrophages were obtained from 14 cases of patients with endometriosis. Danazol at concentration of 10 ng/ml and 100 ng/ml were added to the peritoneal macrophages cultures. The tumor necrosis factor a (TNFα)and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels of peritoneal macrophage supernatant were detected by enzyme linked immunoassay. Results: Danazol at concentration of 100 ng/ml significantly inhibited TNFα and IL-6 production of peritoneal macrophages in patients with endometriosis. Conclusion: It is suggested that the immunomodulatory effect of danazol may contributed to the efficacy in the treatment of endometriosis.